[1] She and her husband Robert Thornber ( – 28 December 1854), and their four children lived in Harpurhey, near Manchester, then emigrated to South Australia on the Superb, arriving in November 1840.
Charles lost a fortune in some speculations, but managed to stay in business,[3] trading as Thornber and Rowland until at least 1876,[4] perhaps with one of his sons-in-law.
Robert Thornber, who was in business with his father-in-law, initially prospered,[1] and in 1848 was able to donate an acre of land for St. Michael's Anglican Church, Mitcham,[5] then suffered some severe financial setbacks, was declared insolvent[6] and their home was put up for auction.
"Mrs. Thornber's School", as it was popularly known, was successful and she was able to move to a larger house on 2 acres (0.81 ha) on Gover Street, Unley Park.
She left in 1886 to become partner in her mother's school and helped prepare students for Adelaide University's matriculation exams.